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IAAPA mourns the loss of past president Geoffrey Thompson, managing director of Britain’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the United Kingdom’s most visited attraction. Thompson, who died on June 12, 2004, was 67 years old.Friends and IAAPA staff were stunned at the news of Thompson’s passing and remembered him as a friendly, strategic manager who enhanced Blackpool while making friends around the world.
“Geoffrey was a giant in our association. He did wonders in carrying on the traditions of Blackpool,” says Kennywood’s Carl Hughes.
In a 2001 Funworld article, Thompson—who took over the park’s management in 1976—attributed Blackpool’s success to its focus on traditional rides and a variety of experiences for families, including exceptional shows.
“The atmosphere matters more than the rides. It’s hard to get that right,” Thompson said in 2001.
According to Hughes, Thompson always “got it right.”
“He was truly an operations person, with a good sense of organization and logistics,” remembers Hughes, who recounted how Thompson once joked that even a bathroom at Blackpool won an award for attractive decorations.
During his tenure, Thompson presided over the expansion of Blackpool and the development of the Pepsi Max Big One, at one time called the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.
He was inducted into the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998, an honor bestowed for his contributions to the tourism industry.
In addition to serving as the 1996 IAAPA president, Thompson served in leadership positions in the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers, and Attractions (BALPPA), Europarks, and the English Tourist Board.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which features 145 rides and attractions, opened in 1896, and it was the first international member to join the National Association of Parks, Pools, and Beaches.
John “Jack” Singhiser, a former IAAPA president known for personally marketing the organization and securing many new members during his term, died on June 12, 2004, at his home.He is survived by his wife, Ruby.
“He was one of the wheels,” says Bob Ott, former IAAPA president and CEO of Dorney Park in Allentown, Pa. “He was one of the driving forces of the association.”
Singhiser was also known for his penchant for style. “He was always dressed immaculately, and it made him stand out, in a good way,” Ott remembers.
Singhiser devoted the better part of his career to the Fontaine Ferry Park in Louisville, Ky. As a teenager, while his father ran the park, Singhiser would assist in all capacities, from ride operator to bookkeeper. “Whatever you needed, he did it all,” says his wife Ruby. But after the park closed in 1969, the Singhisers devoted their time to the association, which was then known as the National Association of Parks, Pools, and Beaches. Ruby would assist with registration and the ladies’ events, and they both manned the booth during the annual conventions and trade shows during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
During the conventions, Ruby and Jack would recruit members and make sure they were being served well by the association. “We tripled the membership in two or three years,” Ruby says.
“After our park closed, we traveled all over the United States, going to parks that were members to see how happy they were. And if there were parks that weren’t happy, we would find out why and get them to come back. We were actually there in person to talk to them.”
This probably comes as no surprise to the people who knew Jack well, as he was known for his outgoing and friendly demeanor.
“He was a good conversationalist, as well as a good listener,” Ruby says.
IAAPA European Conference
This year, the IAAPA European Conference 2004 will be jointly held with the IAAPA Summer Meeting at Europa-Park in Black Forest, Germany. With the expansion of our European offices and the addition of a European trade show, this event promises to be a celebration as well as an excellent networking opportunity.
Find out just how rewarding a gathering of industry professionals from all over the world can be. For example, last year’s Benelux Reception at the IAAPA Orlando Convention and Trade Show brought together industry leaders from the heart of Europe to mix, mingle, and share ideas.
Guide Goes DigitalThe 2005 IAAPA International Directory and Buyers Guide will now be published on CD-ROM only, providing a handy resource while traveling and making it easier to search and update information. The new format will also provide great advertising opportunities for parks. For more information about this great member benefit, or to update your information, contact Bill Stevenson at 703/836-4800 or bstevenson@iaapa.org.
IAAPA Launches Generation Why? Program
IAAPA plans to launch its 2004 Orlando Generation Why? education program with a keynote address from Generation Y expert Eric Chester. Chester’s program, “Generation Why?: Understanding, Managing and Motivating your New Workforce,” explores the motivations and drivers of Generation Y, the generation born after 1980. These folks now make up an increasing proportion of the workforce, particularly as front line and supervisory level staff at our facilities.Chester has spoken on this topic at a number of IAAPA member parks, including Paramount Carowinds and Legoland California, and he brings a wealth of experience and humor to this subject. The presentation will take place at IAAPA Orlando 2004, on Tuesday, November 16, at 8:30 a.m. Also, please visit Chester’s web site at www.generationwhy.com.
IAAPA’s Education, Professional Development. and Training Department promises several exciting events to kick off the education program at this year’s convention and trade show. “The theme for this year’s convention is A Kaleidoscope of Fun: Colorful, Dynamic and Ever-Changing. “We aim to bring a slice of fun, dynamism, and color to the opening education event,” says Suzanne Mark, vice president of education, professional development, and training.”
NEAAPA Holds Annual MeetingThe New England Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (NEAAPA) recently held its Annual Meeting in New Castle, N.H., on March 29, 2004, during which NEAAPA President Alan E. Ramsay presented three Hall of Fame inductees: Anthony “Nino” Berni Sr., Claude “Lou” Captell, and Kasmir Ulaky. “These are the men who purchased Canobie Lake Park in the mid 1950s and have continually improved the park to the true gem that it is today,” says Ramsey.
Canobie Lake Park in Salem, N.H., has recently kicked off its 102nd season. After five decades of service, Berni and Ulaky are still active in the business today and work closely with their children. In fact, Ulaky’s daughter, Christine, is a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors.
Captell passed away during the 1990s, but his children and grandchildren oversee the day-to-day operations of Canobie Lake Park.
When selecting its hall-of-famers, NEAAPA adheres to strict requirements. “Individuals are selected based on a number of criteria, including their support of the association, commitment to the industry in New England, and sound business ethics. Since New England is considered by many as the birthplace of the amusement industry in the United States, it is only fitting that some of the hardest-working and most dedicated people in this business are from the region. In fact, three of our inductees in the NEAAPA Hall of Fame are past presidents of IAAPA, including Roger Shaheen, Ed Carroll Sr., and Ed Carroll Jr.,” says Ramsey.
In addition to saluting those who have contributed to the industry over the years, Ramsay also thanked the association’s committee for continually working to ensure that the association grows.
To that end, Ramsey, who started the NEAAPA Scholarship Program, will present the first scholarship winner during the association’s summer meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, August 4, at Funtown Splashtown in Saco, Maine.
For more information on this meeting, or other association activities, be sure to visit the web site at www.neaapa.com.
BALPPA Compensation Culture Campaign Makes Progress
Recent U.K. surveys show that 21 percent of Britons believe they should be able to sue for damages whenever possible. And many of them have. As a result of a rising number of claims and the costs of payouts from the courts in the United Kingdom, insurance rates for businesses are skyrocketing. And the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers, and Attractions (BALPPA) is on the forefront of this issue. The association has been in frequent contact with the British government in a effort to curtail this so-called “compensation culture.”Recently, the InsuranceTimes reported that the Labor Party intends to include measures in its next election manifesto that would attempt to curb this current trend. Stephen Byers MP is expected to produce the report.
“Byers has presented the huge financial penalty many organizations face under the present insufficiently controlled activities of the no-win/no-fee [promotions from some law firms],” says BALPPA Chief Executive Colin Dawson.
Among the latest to support the efforts is Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Julie Kirkbride MP. In a recent meeting, she gave full support to the BALPPA campaign, promising a hasty resolution. “If both parties now recognize the extent of the problem, we can hope that suitable action will follow which produces relief from this damaging culture,” says Dawson.
Instituo Para la Industria del Entretenimiento
IAAPA presents the first-ever Amusement Industry Institute in Spanish. This specially formulated training program for leisure industry executives, to be held at the Crowne Plaza Panamericano Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 29-September 2, 2004, is the result of a cooperative effort with the Argentinean and Latin American Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Topics will include competitive analysis and strategy designing, quality control management, management skills, evaluation and formulation of investment projects, marketing, and innovation management. The program will include simultaneous interpretation in Portuguese.
Program Coordinator: Pablo Guillermo Heining, Ph.D., with majors in Creativity and Innovation, Overall Restructuring Projects, and Quality Control Programs; doctorate from the Institute of Leisure Studies of the University of Bilbao, Spain; and head professor of the Cordoba Catholic University’s Institute of Administration Science.
“For all of us working in the Latin American amusement industry, this program represents a huge step toward the globalization and total integration of IAAPA services for its members worldwide.”—Marcelo Periales, AAPA president.IAAPA presenta el primer Instituto para la Industria del Entretenimiento en Español. Este programa de capacitación especialmente formulado para ejecutivos de la industria del entretenimiento se llevará a cabo en el Hotel Crowne Plaza Panamericano en Buenos Aires, Argentina, 29 de Agosto-2 de Septiembre del 2004 y es el resultado del esfuerzo cooperativo de IAAPA con la Asociación Argentina de Parques y Atracciones (AAPA) y la Asociación Latinoamericana de Atracciones y Parques de Diversiones (ALAP). Los temas incluirán análisis competitivo y diseño estratégico, administración de control de calidad, habilidades administrativas, evaluación y preparación de proyectos de inversión, mercadotecnia y administración de innovaciones. El programa contará con interpretación simultánea al portugués. Para mayores informes, comuníquese con Jytte Brusco al 54/3543459500, e-mail neverland@neverland.com.ar o en la página de IAAPA www.iaapa.org.
Coordinador de la Conferencia: Pablo Guillermo Heining, graduado de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina con especialidades en Creatividad e Innovación, Reestructuración General de Proyectos y Programas de Control de Calidad; doctorado de la Escuela de Estudios de Tiempo Libre de la Universidad de Bilbao en España; y Profesor de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba en Ciencias de la Administración, entre otros cargos y ocupaciones.
“Para todos los que trabajamos en la industria del entretenimiento en América Latina, este programa representa un gran paso hacia la globalización y la integración total de los servicios que IAAPA presta a sus miembros internacionales.”—Marcelo Periales, presidente, AAPA.
Kishkinta Park Hosts Children’s Event
On February 29 more than 150 buses full of children converged upon Kishkinta Park, located in Tamil Nadu, India. Inspired by Give Kids The World Village and its commitment to children with life-threatening illnesses, Kishkinta hosted 10,000 mentally and physically challenged children from orphanages all over the city to enjoy a day of fun.According to the park’s chairman, M.C. Punnoose, this event was the largest gathering the 120-acre park has ever hosted. In addition to the thousands of special children present, the park also hosted 50 terminally ill children from the Government Cancer Hospital and their families to enjoy a day at the park.
“Give Kids The World is really a wonderful program, and we at Kishkinta would like to do this every year. Hats Off to IAAPA for propagating this humanitarian cause all over the world,” Punnoose wrote.
